Mr. Bhojraj Luchmun, 1963 - 2010

United Nations Development Programme (Mauritius)

Mr. Bhojraj Luchmun, a national of Mauritius, worked with the Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) as a Field Security Coordination Officer since 2007.

Bhojraj, known by friends and colleagues as “Sadesh” or “Raj,” had a distinguished career in law enforcement in Mauritius before joining the UN. He entered the Mauritius Police Force in 1984 at the age of 21 and served in a number of different departments, including the Criminal Investigation Division, Special Mobile Force, and National Security Service. He served with the Organization of African Unity Observer Mission in the Comoros and, in 2006, he was named Head of the Police Training School in Port Louis, Mauritius.

Bhojraj had a degree in police studies from the University of Mauritius. He also completed law enforcement trainings around the world, including at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

A good friend and Special Mobile Force colleague said Bhoraj had completed all the levels of trainings offered and was considered a bomb disposal expert.

Family and friends remembered Bhojraj’s “warm and generous nature.” According to a colleague from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), he was a “caring man, always going out of his way for his colleagues and family.”

“He always had something positive and encouraging to say,” said a close friend.

His brother said, “He only had one reason for living: to make others happy.”

“He was everything, for me and my children. He took care of us, and above everything, even his own happiness, he worked to make us happy,” said his wife, Stenie, who lives in Oklahama, United States, with their two boys.

Bhojraj was given a funeral with full military honors in Phoenix, Mauritius, on 13 February. The ceremony was attended by family, police colleagues, and government dignitaries, including Foreign Minister Arvin Boolell.

Bhojraj is survived by his wife, Stenie, and his two sons Shrikant Arjun, 9, and Harivansh, 7, and his parents Prem and Sarojini.